an advantage in and of itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an advantage in and of itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something has intrinsic value or benefit, independent of any external factors. Example: "While the new software may not be perfect, it offers an advantage in and of itself by streamlining our workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Having run statewide is an advantage in and of itself," said Cliff Zukin, a pollster and professor of public policy at Rutgers University.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's more of an advantage keeping it in play".

The New York Times - Sports

In power-play time, Detroit had an advantage of 8 59-6 8 59-6 21

The New York Times - Sports

This point of difference is in an advantage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The perception of a threatening Soviet advantage in missiles persisted.

The New York Times

"We have our advantages in terms of enterprise management, manageability..

Huffington Post

Nevertheless, incumbents do have a number of advantages in politics.

Huffington Post

Soak it in an take advantage of your together time.

Huffington Post

They do have environmental advantages, particularly in terms of water.

The Guardian

Take advantage of in video annotations.

WikiHow

"That's the advantage of writing in an ambiguous style".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an advantage in and of itself" to emphasize that the benefit is inherent and not dependent on external factors. This can add weight to your argument or description.

Common error

Avoid using "an advantage in and of itself" in situations where a simpler expression of benefit would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an advantage in and of itself" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, emphasizing the inherent quality of being advantageous. It highlights a benefit that exists independently, without requiring external validation, as showcased in Ludwig's example.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an advantage in and of itself" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used to underscore the inherent benefit or value of something, independent of external influences. While relatively rare, it is appropriate for professional and formal contexts, particularly in news and media. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding pretentious, and consider alternatives like "intrinsically advantageous" or "inherently beneficial" when a simpler expression is sufficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intrinsically advantageous

Emphasizes the inherent nature of the advantage, removing the reflective aspect.

inherently beneficial

Focuses on the benefit being a core characteristic, rather than a separate consideration.

a benefit on its own merits

Highlights that the benefit is based on inherent qualities, not external factors.

valuable in its own right

Stresses the worth of something independent of other considerations.

advantageous by nature

Highlights the inherent quality of being advantageous.

a self-contained benefit

Focuses on the self-sufficiency of the advantage.

an inherent positive aspect

Highlights the intrinsic nature of the positive aspect, generalizing from 'advantage'.

a standalone advantage

Emphasizes the independence and self-sufficiency of the advantage.

good in itself

A simpler expression focusing on inherent goodness rather than specific advantage.

fundamentally advantageous

Stresses the basic or essential quality of being advantageous.

FAQs

How can I use "an advantage in and of itself" in a sentence?

You can use "an advantage in and of itself" to emphasize the intrinsic value or benefit of something, independent of other factors. For example, "Having prior experience is "an advantage in and of itself" when applying for a job."

What are some alternatives to "an advantage in and of itself"?

You can use alternatives like "intrinsically advantageous", "inherently beneficial", or "valuable in its own right" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "an advantage" or "an advantage in and of itself"?

It depends on the context. Simply saying "an advantage" is suitable for general situations. Use "an advantage in and of itself" when you want to emphasize that the advantage is inherent and self-contained, not dependent on other factors.

What does "in and of itself" mean?

"In and of itself" means considered alone or without reference to other things. It emphasizes that something has intrinsic qualities or value. For example, the beauty of nature is pleasing "in and of itself".